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Poly(lactic acid) is biodegradable polymer derived from renewable resources and non-toxic, which has become most interested polymer to substitute petroleum-based polymer. However, it has low glass transition temperature and poor gas barrier properties to restrict the application on hot contents packaging and long-term food packaging. The objectives of this research are: (a) to reduce coagulation of graphene oxide/single-walled carbon nanotube (GOCNT) nanocomposite in poly(lactic acid) matrix and (b) to improve mechanical strength and oxygen barrier property, which extend the application of poly(lactic acid).
Graphene oxide has been found to have relatively even dispersion in poly(lactic acid) matrix while its own coagulation has become significant draw back for properties of nanocomposite such as gas barrier, mechanical properties and thermo stability as well as crystallinity. Here, single-walled carbon nanotube was hybrid with graphene oxide to reduce irreversible coagulation by preventing van der Waals of graphene oxide. Mass ratio of graphene oxide and carbon nanotube was determined as 3:1 at presenting greatest performance of preventing coagulation. Four different weight percentage of GOCNT nanocomposite, which are 0.05, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 weight percent, were composited with poly(lactic acid) by solution blending method. FESEM morphology determined minor coagulation of GOCNT nanocomopsite for different weight percentage composites. Insignificant crystallinity change was observed in DSC and XRD data. At 0.4 weight percent, it prevented most of UV-B light but was least transparent. GOCNT nanocomposite weight percent was linearly related to ultimate tensile strength of nanocomposite film. The greatest ultimate tensile strength was found at 0.4 weight percent which is 175% stronger than neat poly(lactic acid) film. Oxygen barrier property was improved as GOCNT weight percent increased. 66.57% of oxygen transmission rate was reduced at 0.4 weight percent compared to neat poly(lactic acid). The enhanced oxygen barrier property was ascribed to the outstanding impermeability of hybrid structure GOCNT as well as the strong interfacial adhesion of GOCNT and poly(lactic acid) rather than change of crystallinity. Such a small amount of GOCNT nanocomposite improved mechanical strength and oxygen barrier property while there were no significant change of crystallinity and thermal behavior found.